Storytelling Institute This Week

An event at Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College's main campus will provide participants with tools for preserving the stories of our families, our organizations and our culture. The public will also be able to attend two performances by nationally recognized storytellers.

Fairmont State University, FSU's Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center and the West Virginia Storytelling Guild present the Mountain State Storytelling Institute on Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4, at the Falcon Center. "Creating the Tapestry of Culture: Weaving Stories for a Lifetime" is this year's theme.

Keynote Scholar Kevin Cordi has told stories in over 40 states, England and Japan for more than 20 years. His story work has been commissioned by the National Youth Storytelling Hall of Fame, Newsweek and The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. As a story teacher, he is considered one of the nation's primary advocates for youth storytelling. Cordi shares stories with a highly energetic, animated and interactive style and is considered by many storytelling professionals as one of the most influential and dynamic storytellers and teachers today. With each story he tells, the audience connects with him-his passion shines through. His work is a must-see for adults and kids alike.

Keynote Speaker Connie Regan-Blake is one of America's most celebrated storytellers. Her storytelling presentation, scheduled for 7:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, April 3, will be free and open to the public. Both as a solo artist and a member of the acclaimed Folktellers duo, she has been featured on seven award-winning recordings-five audio and two videos produced by PBS. New Age Magazine, School Library Journal and Southern Living have praised her work. She has been a guest on NPR's "All Things Considered," ABC's "Good Morning America" and CNN. Regan-Blake has performed at the nation's top folk music and storytelling festivals in Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco, as well as the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C.

The Institute will also feature "Potluck," a feast of stories, poems and songs about food and the community. Potluck, an hour-long performance, is planned for Saturday, April 4, at 1 p.m. in Wallman Hall. Potluck has been described as "a feast that will satisfy your soul, lift your heart and tickle your funny bone." Admission to the performance is $5 for the general public. Tickets will be available at the door. The Potluck performance is sponsored by the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.

Potluck creators and performers Karen Vuranch, Julie Adams and Colleen Anderson are known throughout West Virginia. Vuranch has toured the state telling stories and performing her one-woman shows, Coal Camp Memories and Homefront. She also portrays Pearl S. Buck and Mother Jones. Singer, songwriter Julie Adams is the featured vocalist on "Mountain Stage," an internationally syndicated public radio show. She has performed with Kathy Mattea, Sarah McLachlan and many others. Colleen Anderson is a noted writer who work has been published in Redbook and Arts and Letters. Anderson's essays are featured on West Virginia Public Radio. For those attending the Mountain State Storytelling Institute, the performance cost is included in the registration fee. Vuranch, Anderson and Adams will also present workshops for the Storytelling Institute. 

The Institute is a two-day conference featuring scholars and storytelling professionals. The intent is to provide academic, professional and personal development of those interested in storytelling as scholarship, art, a teaching tool and a profession. Workshops will feature members of the West Virginia Storytelling Guild, Fairmont State University and West Virginia University faculty and FSU students.

Potential session topics include the following: oral history collection, incorporation of sound effects into story, "The Story Box Project," the use of technology in storytelling and story collection, preserving family stories, the use of folk literature in storytelling, storytelling in the classroom, the creation of historical storytelling, storytelling techniques, storytelling in writing and multicultural stories.

Registration for adults is $50. Registration for students is $35. Participation is limited to 100. For more information or to register, contact Susan Bailey at (304) 367-4203 or sbailey@fairmontstate.edu.

This project is being presented with financial assistance from The West Virginia Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

 

Kevin Cordi

 

Connie Regan-Blake